Abstract

Laminates are composite materials of thermoset matrix reinforced with long fibers. Natural fibers are a low-cost renewable resource, have a low density (which gives them a high specific resistance), are not irritating or toxic, have no abrasive effects such as glass fibers, and are completely biodegradable. However, natural fibers have certain disadvantages with respect to synthetic fibers, such as their low decomposition temperature and their high hydrophilicity. There are numerous lamination manufacturing techniques: infusion, resin transfer and autoclave. The autoclave provides an improvement in the mechanical properties of the laminates due to the control of the manufacturing parameters. However, this technique is very expensive, so not all industrial sectors can access it. Knowing the mechanical performance of biolaminates prepared from different manufacturing techniques will open a window of alternate possibilities to the use of an autoclave, which includes the development of nanoreinforced biolaminates.

Abstract

One of the most common materials to be used as cores of sandwich structures is polymeric foam. Due to an increasing effort to reduce the environmental impact of industrial processes, there is a great interest in the incorporation of natural materials from renewable sources to facilitate the reusing and recycling of the structures. One of the possibilities for replacing polymeric foams in sandwich structures is agglomerated cork, due to its good mechanical properties. However, for this material to be used as a core, it is necessary to know its behaviour under impact loads, both at low and high velocities.

In this work, the behaviour of a commercial PVC foam is compared with agglomerated corks of several densities. The force, displacement, absorbed energy and perforation velocity have been analysed. The behaviour of the agglomerated cork can be similar to that of a conventional polymeric foam, although with an increase in weight. However, it has been shown that agglomerated cork can be a better alternative to polymeric foams in those applications that may be subjected to several successive impacts.